Today in Sikh History : 5th June

5th June

And June 6 nights saw fierce battle between the Indian Army and
GurSikhs inside the Golden Temple Complex. The onsluaght began around
7pm. 15,000 hand-picked and well-trained solidiers supported by
tanks and armoured personnel carriers were involved in the assault.
While another 35,000 soliders tried to put down any internal rebellion.
It was rumored that Jarnail Singh Bhindranwalae has gone towards
the Golden Temple. In response, the army sent their divers into
the sacred tank, but they all were killed at the hands of the GurSikh
freedom fighters. Subsequently, 60 commandos were sent to Sri Akal
Takhat. 59 were killed in the first attack by the GurSikhs. Army's
disappointment led to the deployment of heavy artillery and tanks
started firing upon Sri Akal Takhat. By 9:30 AM, the army took control
of the Golden Temple complex. Jarnail Singh Bhindranwalae and Amrik
Singh received martyrdom in this attack along with many of their
companions.

Sikhs were killed with their hands tied behind their back, bombs
were thrown on the Sikh pilgrims after their arrest, and Sikh women
raped; children weren't spared either. The Indian army went berserk,
as they suffered a heavy toll. They killed every Sikh in their sight.
Sikhs were hauled out of every room of darbar Sahib complex, brought
to the corridors on the circumference of the temple and shot in
cold blodd with their hands tied behind their backs.

==> BLUESTAR OPERATION is the code name for the June 1984 attack
on Sri Harimandir Sahib, Amritsar, by the Indian Armed Forces. This
attack was conducted under the pretext of flushing out terrorists
but was designed for maximum damage. The attack took place on the
day of Guru Arjan Dev Patshah's Shahadat Gurpurab observations.
Further this operation was sanctioned under the direct orders of
Indira Gandhi (then prime minister) and Zail Singh (then President).
The Golden Temple Complex was attacked by the Indian Armed Forces
using tanks, helicopters, and other heavy artillery, under the command
of Major General Kuldip Singh Brar. Sri Akal Takhat was desecrated
during this attack. Sri Darbar Sahib sustained at least 300 bullet
holes. Thousands of innocent people were murdered in cold blood.
Their fault? They were attending the Martyrdom day of Guru Arjan
Dev Ji. The brave GurSikh soldiers in the Akal Takhat, numbering
about 250, gave extremely tough resistance to the Indian army. However,
their resistance was no match to the large number of tanks, helicopters,
bombs, and other heavy artillery that destroyed the Akal Takhat.
The whole Sikh nation rose as a whole to protest against this ghastly
attack. Thousands of Sikhs were martyred in the holy precincts of
Darbar Sahib. Many gave their lives in attempts to reach for Darbar
Sahib's protection. All roads to Amritsar were blocked. Every Sikh
approaching these blockades were asked to remove their kirpan and
turban. Those refusing were immediately killed or arrested. Anyone
with blue or saffron turbans were particularly targeted and killed.
Those arrested were blind folded and their hands tied behind their
backs with their own turbans. Arrested Sikhs were packed in groups
of 60-70 in small rooms with liitle room for any mobility.

In protest, many respected Sikhs returned their Padam Bushan medals/honors
bestowed upon them by the Indian government and sacrificed their
high positions. Several Sikh Army personal deserted their posts
in protest and marched straight to protect Darbar Sahib. However,
Indira Ghandhi did receive retribution for her black deeds on Oct.
31st, that same year.

For detailed description of events surrounding this attack, readers
are referred to the following:

Harbir
Singh Bhanwer (Tribune reporter), "Diary de Panne,"
This book is in Punjabi. It is hard to come by. I found it to
be most authoritative books on this event. Mr. Bhanwer was the
person who provided quite a bit of basic information to Mark
Tully and Mr. Jacob for their book "Amritsar: Indira Gandhi's
Last Battle."
Dr. Mohinder Singh, "Blue Star Ghalughara," This book
was published in 1991 (several years after Dairy de Panne),
but is more detailed.

Jathedar
Kirpal Singh, "Saka Neela Tara." This book is written
by thim when he was the Jathedar of Akal Takhat. I have not
read it, but I think it has extremely valuable information.

At 7:00 p.m.
Operation Blue Star, the invasion of The Golden Temple begins with
tanks of the 16th Cavalry Regiment of the Indian Army moving to
enclose the Golden Temple complex. Troops are briefed not to use
their guns against the Golden Temple itself or the Akal Takht. Artillery
is used to blast off the tops of the Ramgarhia Bungas and the water
tank. Scores of buildings in and around the temple complex are blazing.
One artillery shell lands more than 5 km away in the crowded city.
In the narrow alley behind the Akal Takht paramilitary commandos
try to get into the temple. Some make it to the roof but are turned
back due to the heavy gunfire. Meanwhile tanks move into the square
in front of the northern entrance to the Golden Temple known as
the clock tower entrance.

At 10:30
pm commandos from the 1st Battalion, the Parachute Regiment try
to run down the steps under the clock tower onto the marble parkarma
around the sacred pool. They face heavy gunfire, suffering casualties
and are forced to retreat. A second wave of commandos manage to
neutralize the machine gun posts on either side of the steps and
get down to the parkarma.

The Akal
Takht is heavily fortified with sandbags and brick gun emplacements
in its windows and arches. From here and the surrounding buildings
the Sikh fighters are able to fire at any commandos who make their
way in front of the Gurdwara.

Two companies
of the 7th Garhwal Rifles enter the temple complex from the opposite
side on the southern gate entrance and after a gun battle are able
to establish a position on the roof of the Temple library. They
are reinforced by two companies of the 15th Kumaons. Repeated unsuccessful
attempts are made to storm the Akal Takht.

1996

Baldev Singh Chahal
passed away suddenly from a heart attack. He successfully campaigned
to change the British law that exempted GurSikhs from wearing helmets
on motorcycles.

==> BALDEV SINGH CHAHAL (BA, LLB (Lon), was the General Secretary
of the Council of Khalistan, UK when he passed away suddenly on
5th June from a heart attack at 59 years of age. Sirdar Chahal arrived
in the UK in 1964, a young graduate from the Punjab,and in 1973,
came to public prominence when he launched a campaign to change
the law to exempt turbaned Sikhs from wearing helmets on motorcycles.
During this campaign, he received much support, from both the Sikh
community and the host community. The media also provided his campaign
with wide coverage to help obtain the suppport necessary to change
the law in Parliament.

In 1975, Sirdar Chahal was imprisoned for 30 days in Pentonville
prison for riding his motorcycle whilst wearing his turban, as a
point of principle and in order to protest against the law as it
stood, which denied the Sikhs their fundamental right to wear their
turban as a strict culural and religious requirement of their faith.

In 1976, as a result of Sirdar Chahal's continuous efforts, commitment
and dedication, the campaign succeeded and the law was changed to
exempt Sikhs from wearing a crash helmet.

Sirdar Chahal believed faithfully in the formation of the Sikh
State of Khalistan and became active in the pursuit of Sikh independence
from 1967 onwards. Sirdar Chahal's foremost ambition in life was
to see the creation of the State of Khalistan.

Sirdar Chahal was a London University graduate and was deeply involved
in community affairs. He stood for the British Parliament twice
in his career and was known to pursue his principles exhaustively.
He was a well respected and well known man.

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